Search Ends When Palm Bay Boy Found Safe In Leesburg

Child's Mother Arrested

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The search for a 3-year-old boy taken by a relative on Monday night in Palm Bay has ended when the boy was found safe in Leesburg late Tuesday afternoon.

Palm Bay Public Information Officer Yvonne Martinez said the boy was taken during a burglary that resulted in a battery following a parental custody dispute.

Martinez said that at about 7:30 p.m. Monday, officers responded to the 600 block of Loffler Circle when a woman called to report she was babysitting a 3-year-old boy when the child’s mother and three others forced their way into her home and took the child.

The female caller was reportedly pushed to the ground by the individuals who first knocked on the door asking to speak to the child’s father who was not home.

According to the victim, the individuals forced their way into the home, took the child and fled.

Statewide bulletins were issued and on Tuesday police in Leesburg located the car and the child was recovered without incident.

Martinez said the boy’s mother was arrested by Leesburg Police for warrants obtained by Palm Bay Police for burglary and battery.